Ban on Asbestos to be relaxed

20 December 2017 07:57 am - 19 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Cabinet yesterday decided to relax the ban imposed on the use of Asbestos roofing materials imported from Russia amid reports that the Russian Federation had allegedly retaliated by suspending tea imports from Sri Lanka.

Russia imposed a temporary restriction on tea imports from Sri Lanka last Thursday saying a beetle was detected in a consignment of tea purchased from Sri Lanka.

However, it is believed that this was in retaliation to Sri Lanka’s decision to ban the import of Asbestos roofing materials from Russia with effect from 2024 on the basis that such roofing materials were harmful to the environment.

Plantation Industries Minister Navin Dissanayake briefed the Cabinet on the crisis triggered by the restriction on tea exports to Russia and is reported to have informed the Cabinet that the ban on the use of Asbestos roofing materials was a likely factor that led to this crisis.

President Maithripala Sirisena had subsequently instructed the Cabinet to withhold the decision to ban the use of roofing materials for an indefinite period. (Kelum Bandara)

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Comments - 19

Canadian Wednesday, 20 December 2017 08:02 AM

Srilankans dont have a backbone !!!.... its a shame !!!

Damien Wednesday, 20 December 2017 11:09 AM

Some people come here to just make negative comments. "Sri Lankans don't have a backbone" Dear uneducated person, please elaborate. Was there a valid reason to ban the import of Asbestos ? Was it based on proper scientific findings? Also do you know that Russia is our biggest buyer of Tea ?? Do you know what would happen if they suddenly stopped buying our tea?? Without making pointless comments, set an example and say why you disagree with this move!

RDF Wednesday, 20 December 2017 11:39 AM

Be reasonable. Beggers cannt be choosers. Our tea industry will loose their biggest buyer resulting in wide spread hardship to the entire country. We should act wisely not allowing the "gut" to take over.

BuffaloaCitizen Wednesday, 20 December 2017 01:55 PM

Damien - Asbestos is a banned product in the first world and a potential cause for lung cancer, this is common research proven many years ago and is gradually being adopted by third world countries though late mainly due to constraints finding cheap options similar to products manufactured using asbestos fiber. Russia twisting the neck of SL to accept such a vile product as asbestos for accepting a safe brilliant product such as tea shows the principles for what Russia stands for. Even if we were to lose our tea market to Russia even at a cost of money, in principle we should not bow down for what is wrong for our citizens and love each and every Sri Lankan life on this island and not sell our honest rights for unprincipled countries. Let Russia slap us until his hands hurt, but we will not move from true principles.

Sri Wickrema Wednesday, 20 December 2017 02:04 PM

This is not an issue of a backbone. Our politicians are lack of vision to avoid disputes of this nature.

nidal Wednesday, 20 December 2017 02:44 PM

You cannot be a Canadian.. First of all you should have backbone to put your name.... You dont know if they reject what will happen economically.. The USD will rise again and inflation will skyrocket... Then again you stupid people will blame government.... First of all stop spit on your grave..

citizen Wednesday, 20 December 2017 08:32 AM

What a joke ?

Doug Wednesday, 20 December 2017 08:36 AM

Anyone surprised. We all know that this limp govt can't carry out any decision.

patriot Wednesday, 20 December 2017 11:13 AM

Bartering tea with peoples health.

cineha Wednesday, 20 December 2017 11:20 AM

Beggars don't have a choice.......

Sanju Wednesday, 20 December 2017 11:24 AM

Stopped voting for that milksop Ranil long ago. Now This does it. it's confirmed that no vote going to the man from Polonnaruwa anymore. Bangawewa President !

Sincere Wednesday, 20 December 2017 11:31 AM

That was why our ancient forefathers gave us this proverb saying "Do not do what you cannot do Mr. Abarang"

Sincere Wednesday, 20 December 2017 11:33 AM

So now what will happen to cancerous elements in asbestos? Will they disappear now?

True Sri Lankan Wednesday, 20 December 2017 11:33 AM

when the entire world has a ban against Asbestos only Sri Lanka approves of this deadly material. Shame on the so called good governance....

jehan Wednesday, 20 December 2017 11:39 AM

i WOULD LIKE TO SEE PEOPLE Who have said and believed this government will have better international relations to come and comment their disgust here...This government is a classic example of " failing to plan is planing to fail"

Lafiri Wednesday, 20 December 2017 02:54 PM

This government is getting its priorities mixed up. Our rulers should think of the future and the future is food and water. Russia who doesn't want our tea will definitely will come back. Asbestos ban should remain no matter what.

Gayan Wednesday, 20 December 2017 03:04 PM

Another example of Govt winning the international community as self claimed.

dnw Wednesday, 20 December 2017 03:08 PM

If was in the government i would rather keep the existing asbestos ban and import some other quality product from Russia to equate the deficit in order to protect our tea industry.

pumal Wednesday, 20 December 2017 03:12 PM

sorry situation

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Ban on Asbestos to be relaxed

Comments - 19

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